Published: July 25, 2012
Burnham-On-Sea MP backs local farmers in protest over milk prices

Burnham-On-Sea's MP Tessa Munt has this week supported the National Farmers Union's campaign to highlight a drastic reduction in milk prices for dairy farmers and she has called for a reversal in the cuts in Parliament.

Up to a 2p per litre cut in the price paid to farmers has been announced by the four leading dairy processors, affecting 27% of milk producers from 1st August.

Earlier in the year another 2p per litre was sliced off the price and many local farmers feel that they have no control over the price they receive, and some will abandon milk production.

Tessa Munt has also called for a Fairtrade milk scheme for dairy farmers and went along to meet some of the 1,100 local farmers at a blockade outside Robert Wiseman's distribution centre in Bridgwater.

She pointed out that The Fairtrade Foundation currently works to support farmers in the developing world to ensure that they get a fair price for their products, but she says there is a need to do the same in the UK.

Tessa told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "I have spoken previously about how vitally important it is to keep dairy farming alive and to make sure our farmers get a fair price for their products."

"As a nation, we should concentrate on food security and be able to feed ourselves. I really believe a Fairtrade milk scheme would be an effective way to ensure that the farmers are protected and the consumer knows at a glance that he or she is supporting British farming when shopping for milk or milk products. I am writing to the Farming Minister about this."

Pictured: Tessa with National Farmers’ Union (NFU) President Peter Kendall